CSE and the law: A family’s journey through the legal system Fleur Strong February 27 2015.

Similar presentations

Presentation on theme: "CSE and the law: A family’s journey through the legal system Fleur Strong February 27 2015."— Presentation transcript:

1
CSE and the law: A family’s journey through the legal system Fleur Strong February

2
Pace is a national charity established in Across England we have supported and worked alongside over 800 parents and carers of sexually exploited children. Parents come to us a result of referrals from the police, social services and other NGOs plus self-referrals. Pace acts as a bridge between affected parents/carers and statutory agencies. Safeguarding children.. Pace

3
The parent and child relationship will be undermined and potentially broken through grooming, intimidation and coercion. Family intimidation by the perpetrators (via the child, siblings or directly) includes assault, harassment, threats to rape, threats to kill parents, siblings & pets. Disempowerment of parents can be unwittingly increased by statutory agencies who assume parent or family unwilling, or incapable, of protecting their child. Presumption ‘chaotic household.’ CSE will have a traumatic and negative impact on the family unit

4
“We woke up to find the house had been graffitied. They’d daubed across the house ‘Rachel is a cock-sucking slag’.” “Me and her mum split up, we could not cope. Her younger sister hated her for the misery she caused the family.” “We tried locking the doors and hiding the keys. I even called the police and had her arrested. It was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life, but I was desperately trying to keep my daughter safe. The men had manipulated her so successfully, that she only saw us as the enemy.”. Quotes from parents

5
“My daughter threw her phone in water when she was asked to show (to the police) the text messages from the man. She was very angry & refused to talk to me at first but has now talked to me which is good.” “I still feel ashamed that I was unable to protect my daughter and that it is my failure as a Mum that I allowed such things to happen to her.”. Quotes from parents

6
“I took six weeks off work so I could keep my daughter in the house and away from the gang who were exploiting her. I nearly lost my job. Two weeks in, the groomers started sending gang members round to patrol the outside of my house. The police could do nothing. I thought about selling up, buying somewhere cheaper so I could leave my job and live off the equity. But my other children begged me not to, and my elderly parents also needed me.’”. Quotes from parents

7
‘You need to keep her under control.’ ‘It’s your responsibility you should keep her in.’ ‘You need to rein her in.’ ‘Can’t you take her out to the cinema or something on an evening?’ ‘You are over emotional’’ “ You need to be more nurturing.” “Has anyone ever said no to your daughter?’” What police and social care workers have said to parents

8
In 2013,YouGov surveys reported 91% police officers and 92% social workers think potential benefits statutory agencies working in partnership with parents to safeguarding a child during a police investigation. Yet 70% of safeguarding professionals agreed parents feel disempowered by agency involvement in the family. And over two fifths of professionals (44%) & parents (41%) agreed in most cases parents are in part responsible for the sexual exploitation of their child. Residue of victim blaming

9
Primary safeguarders of their children. Supply the majority of out-of-hours and long term support in assisting a child to exit from exploitation. Key in reporting a child missing. Child Abduction Warning Notices Key in gathering evidence to assist in prosecutions and corroborative evidence. You need them to support their child through the prosecution process – leading to increased likelihood of convictions. Supported, informed and engaged parents and family will help you engage with young victim. Why involve parents in legal journey ?

10
“ Parents and carers may be the first to notice any changes in a young person’s behaviour which may give cause for concern. The information a parent or carer can provide may be valuable evidence to help build a case against the offender. This can include: intelligence on suspects third party accounts supporting the allegations evidence showing the suspect in contact with the victim (e.g. via texts or social media platforms) DNA evidence, clothing and mobile phones. If the victim’s family contacts the police, they should be actively supported and referred to relevant support agencies. College of Policing new national policing guidance ‘Authorised Professional Practice - Child Sexual Exploitation’ Feb 2014

11
Supported, engaged and informed parents are key to ensuring a child witness will cope emotionally with an investigation and will attend court. 75% children live at home. Collection of information, intelligence and evidence. Corroborative witnesses. Parents understand the child. Engage! evidences shows positive impact of parent support on successful prosecutions. “Identify support services to provide care to victims and their extended families for the duration of their criminal justice journey and beyond.” ACPO CSE Action Plan Supported engaged informed parents

12
Recommendations Multiagency co-located teams. Proactive investigation and use of corroborative evidence. Minimise delay. Engage and support families. Special measures addressed at earliest opportunity. Comprehensive victim care – before, during, post trial. Manage the expectations of all involved. Dedicated specialist skilled prosecutors. Clear channels of communications throughout. Affected parents’ advice to you to help them support their child as a witness

13
Key elements of good practice in working and supporting affected parents/carers Listening. Non judgemental approach, no stereotypes. Signposting to support agencies. Explaining agencies procedures. Including them and preparing them for meetings and court visits. Encouraging them to and informing them how to gather information and pass it on Keeping them informed of any developments. Consistency of staff. Explaining legislation. Affected parents’ advice to you to help them support their child as a witness

14
Parents stressed importance of handling disclosures effectively by first responders. Police not taking parental statements frustrated many. Parents aware why a child may retract a statement. Children with learning difficulties often deliberately targeted making disclosure and willingness to go through court process far more challenging. Affected parents’ advice to you to help them support their child as a witness

15
Fear is an overriding factor prevalent throughout the process of both the family’s and young person’s engagement with the criminal justice process. Fear of talking about what happened, fear of being blamed. Fear of the impact of their disclosure on people around them. Fear of the prosecution process. Fear of the likely consequences for themselves. Tackling fear

16
“While the case was adjourned we saw men waiting in cars outside our home, outside the school gates.” Parent Quality of children’s testimony is affected by alleged offenders’ or their associates’ attempts to intimidate the child, family, pets either directly or via their siblings, friends or social media. Police need to reassure and act to ensure continued engagement of victim in the criminal process through to its completion. Witness Intimidation

17
Providing timely, accurate information to both parents/carers and the child about their case at all stages of the criminal justice process Addressing fears around attending court, such as being cross examined or seeing the defendants and their associates when entering the court building or using court facilities. Taking the family to court in advance of the trial so the family can familiarise themselves with the venue and processes. Informing the family on the child’s right to seek therapy in the run-up to the trial, as specified by the CPS legal guidance. Informing the family on the role and availability of Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (ISVAs) Maximising the capacity of parents and carers to support their child in the run up to and during the trial – practical advice

18
Arranging transport for the family on the day of the trial to ensure arrival on time. Explaining why family members must not discuss details of the case on social networks or with friends, neighbours and work colleagues. Enabling family involvement in decisions regarding how the child gives evidence in court. This would include: Informing parents of their child’s right to record a Victim Personal Statement (VPS) about the impact of the abuse; ensuring both parents and child recognise that this may be read out in court. Maximising the capacity of parents and carers to support their child in the run up to and during the trial – practical advice

19
Exploring options around giving evidence detailed in the 2013 CPS legal guidance on child witnesses of sexual abuse such as live video link options (but also discussing whether the use of video may be detrimental if the child was filmed when the abuse was taking place). Appointing an independent supporter to accompany the child when giving evidence over live link-up. Ensuring the safety and wellbeing of the family in recognition of the impact of CSE and potential intimidation Listening to and acknowledging family fears of witness intimidation and ensuring episodes of intimidation are fully reported to the police. Maximising the capacity of parents and carers to support their child in the run up to and during the trial – practical advice

20
Balancing the child’s identity as both an individual and as a family unit Understanding and deconstructing salient myths around families affected by child sexual exploitation (i.e. victims come from ‘dysfunctional’ or ‘chaotic’ homes); reassuring parents that the exploitation of their child is not their fault. Acknowledging and addressing any potential impact of the abuse and trial on unaffected siblings Researching availability of after care or post-trial therapy to ensure that the entire family have a pathway towards readjustment and moving forward with their lives. Maximising the capacity of parents and carers to support their child in the run up to and during the trial – practical advice

21
In 2007, at Pace’s conference “Prosecuting Criminals: Protecting Children” it was highlighted that only two cases out of two hundred families supported by Pace (during ) had resulted in the conviction of the perpetrators (accounting for only 1% of cases reported to Pace) Parents stated a successful prosecution outcome was a key measure of justice for themselves and their children. Parents felt that the process of criminal justice would enable their children to get their voices heard, to regain power and control that the perpetrators took away from them, and to foster their lives around. Parents’ historic experience of prosecution of CSE

22
Many of the challenges confronting parents in 2009 during the reporting and investigating stages of the exploitation of their child are still affecting parents in Attitudes and working culture. Children not referred to CSE specialists quickly enough. Lack of therapeutic support. Parents’ suspicions not given serious consideration in early stages of exploitation. Intimidation, violence and threats experienced by families. Challenges in 2015

23
Professionals work in partnership with parents, facilitating and supporting them, in order to maximise the ability and capacity of statutory agencies’ and families’ to safeguard a child at risk of/ being sexually exploited. The Relational Safeguarding Model – a different approach

24
Parent Liaison Officers (PLOs) work in partnership with the individuals and agencies supporting the child within the multi-agency team. - Provide effective wrap-around support for the family- already in Kingfisher, Sunrise, Bradford Hub, Engage, Cherish, Protect. - Recognises the child’s identity as both an individual and as part of a family unit. - Facilitates parents sharing knowledge on the child and intelligence on perpetrators. - Facilitates high level of support needed. Evidence shows it is better this emotional support comes from an independent outside agency rather than police or social care. How can families be best supported?

26
From 2008 when Pace Parent Liaison Officer (PLO) was employed by Blackburn team Engage! number of perpetrators charged rose from 6 (2005/08) to 63 (2008/9), investigations rose from 1 (2005/080 to 30 (2008/09) with 100% rate of child witnesses attending trial. Research evidences this directly linked to PLO. Working with parents benefits CJS

27
Keeping it together: A parent’s guide to coping with child sexual exploitation. Working with the police: The role of parents in child sexual exploitation investigations. Understanding the court process: Information for parents to help their sexually exploited child though the court process. The Relational Safeguarding Model: Best practice in working with families affected by CSE. to order. Pace booklets